F for Freedom, F for Food

the team that runs the cafe

While heading back home from Amin Sheikh's cafe a year ago, we thought deeply about all the stories of struggle and hope we had been privy to through the day. It makes sense then that as the café, run with orphaned teens, turns two today, Sheikh is hosting a workshop called Freedom and Food. Here, participants will share their stories of finding freedom through food.

Amin Sheikh

"That we decided to open on Independence Day was symbolic. We are free from foreign rule but continue to be shackled. Everyone has the right to nutritious food and since we are trying to make that happen with our cafe, it was a way of saying, 'we are free,'" Sheikh tells us. The workshop is a collaboration between Sheikh, Poulami Das, a museum explorer, who runs Project Interpret that aims to make heritage and museums accessible to all, and Swadesee, a travel website.

Poulami Das

"Food acts as a cement among people from different walks of life and is a great way of connecting with people. Amin's story is a unique one. He, too, in a way found freedom through food and his cafe," she shares, explaining why she decided to host this event. Sheikh confirms that the menu for the day will be as usual but that volunteers at the cafe will be serving free hot chocolate and muffins to underprivileged children. Other musical events have been scheduled for the day, including a rap performance by Sai Mathri, a B-Boy dancer associated with Sheikh's charitable foundation.

On: August 15, 11 am to 12 pm
At: Bombay to Barcelona Library Cafe, Marol, Andheri East.
Call: 7738446788

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